MAD RIVER paints a picture of the conflict between North Californian lumber corporations and Redwoods National Park through the perspective of Humboldt County’s lumber workers, who have little to no say in how the conflict plays out but are perhaps most affected by its outcome.
In 1975, the Chicago video collective Videopolis produced a documentary called “It’s a Living.” The tape was loosely based on Studs Terkel’s book, “Working,” which was a collection of interviews with ordinary people talking about their jobs. This hour-long program was shown on Channel 11 (WTTW) in Chicago. After the success of this tape, the videomakers were commissioned to make six half-hour shows that had the same type of mission. “Paper Roses” featured residents of the Chicago Housing Authority’s Clark-Irving Apartments, which provided low-rent housing for senior citizens. The tape is not a traditional documentary with formal interviews, rather, it is a simple collection of real people talking about themselves. The subjects seem very comfortable talking to the camera and speak honestly about aging and retirement.
An episode of Image Union featuring the work “One Sturdy String” by Mirko Popadic. A history of traditional Serbian music. Some footage from Popadic’s “Serbian Wedding” tape. We see the different ways Serbian Chicagoans incorporate this music into their lives, from extremely traditional performances to weddings to rock interpretations. We see footage of the Kapugi brothers playing the tamburitza. There is a lot of talk about the happiness produced by Serbian music and about the ways it combines with American music. Followed by “Studs Terkel at the Steel Mill” featuring Studs Terkel interviewing steel worker and organizer Alice Peurala.